Portable commode



Oct. 25, 1949. s. c. FULCHER Y 2,435,726

PORTABLE COMMODE Filed Sept. 12, 1946 FVENTOR.

ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 25, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PORTABLE COMMODE Simeon C. Fulcher, Los Angeles, Calif. Application September 12, 1946, Serial No. 696,490

1 Claim. it

This invention relates to a portable commode and has for its primary object to provide a convenient device of the type indicated for general use and more particularly for the use of semiinvalids.

Another object of the invention is to provide a portable commode which is sealed against odors by the provision of a suitable gasket, the sealing pressure being efiected through the medium of spring means in the hinge of the lid or cover of the commode.

Another object of the invention is to provide a portable commode which employs a conventional slop jar and in which the bottom of the commode is constructed to properly position said jar and. is also water-proofed against spillage.

My invention also has for its objects to provide such means that are positive in operation, convenient in use, easily installed in a working position and easily disconnected therefrom, economical of manufacture, relatively simple, and of general superiority and serviceability.

The invention also comprises novel details of construction and novel combinations and arrangements of parts, which will more fully appear in the course of the following description. However, the drawings merely show and the following description merely describes one embodiment of the present invention, which is given by way of illustration or example only.

In the drawings, like reference characters designate similar parts in the several views.

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a portable commode embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view as taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, with the open lid or cover partly broken away.

The commode which is illustrated comprises, generally, a cabinet 5, a top cover or lid 6 for the cabinet, a slop jar or like vessel 1, means 8 for locating the position of said jar in the cabinet, a generally conventional toilet seat 9 disposed above the slop jar, means II] for maintaining the cover or lid open, means If for hinging the cover to the cabinet and also efiective to firmly close the same, and sealing means l2 between the cabinet and cover.

The cabinet is generally rectangular and is suitably made of wood or like material. As shown, the cabinet comprises front and rear walls l3, side walls l4 and a bottom Hi. The front, rear and side walls are connected by corner posts l6 which extend below the bottom 15 and comprise support feet. Spaced from the top of the cabinet a wall l1, parallel to the bottom 15, is provided,

said wall being provided with an enlarged opening l8. The inner face of the bottom l5 and, if desired, the inner faces of the walls 53 and 14 may be suitably water-proofed as indicated by the liquid impervious sheet IS.

The cover 6 is generally rectangular to cover the open top of the cabinet and is connected to the rear wall of the cabinet by the means H.

The slop jar I may be passed through the opening l8 and rests on the bottom [5. The means 8 comprises a suitable nest of cleats 2U, locating the jar centrally of the opening l8 and obviating its inadvertent displacement.

The toilet seat 9 is centered with respect to the opening l8 and is preferably connected to the wall [1 by means of a conventional hinge 2| placed at the rear of said wall H. The seat 9 is thereby adapted to be lifted on its hinge to give access for insertion or removal of the jar 1.

The means [0 may vary in design. As shown, said means comprises a pair of foldable links 22 hinged at each side wall l4 and to the cover 6. The links 22 are so proportioned and located as to permit ready closing of the cover and act to retain the same in open position substantially as shown.

The means I l comprises one or more hinges 23 in'each of which is embodied a spring 24 which at all times seeks to close the cover. Upon folding the links 22, the springs become effective to close the cover and press the same firmly onto the top edge of the cabinet. When the links 22 are straightened, they resist the force of said springs as can be well understood.

The sealing means [2 is shown as a gasket 25 of felt, sponge, rubber or the like, positioned in a rabbet or groove in the top edge of the cabinet. The gasket may effectively be carried by the cover. Normally, the cover is closed and the gasket seals the interior of the cabinet. By lifting the cover on its hinges, and thereby straightening the links 22 to hold the cover open, the commode is ready for use. By folding said links, the cover is again closed by the springs 24 to seal the cabinet. As indicated, the jar 1 is easily inserted and removed.

The slop jar or its equivalent may be provided with a bail for easier handling The hinges 23 may be made without the springs 24 and the latter may be separately embodied in the structure either as torsional or tension springs.

While I have illustrated and described what I now regard as the preferred embodiment of my invention, the construction is, of course, subject to modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. I, therefore, do not wish to restrict myself to the particular form of construction, illustrated and described, but desire to avail myself of all modifications that may fall within the scope of the appended claim.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A portable commode comprising a cabinet having a bottom, front, rear and side walls extending upwardly from said bottom, and a top wall spaced above the bottom and positioned below the upper edge of the cabinet, said top wall having an opening therein; a water-proof lining for the bottom and for adjacent portions of the front, side and rear walls; a nest of cleats on the upper face of the bottom and centered with respect to said opening; said nest of cleats being adapted to po-' sition a conventional slop jar that has a top rim extending into said opening; a cover member hingedly connected to the rear wall of the cabinet; spring means embodied in the hinge connection for normally urging the cover member to assume a position in contact with and overstanding the upper edge of the cabinet, foldable link. means extending from the side walls above the top wall and to the cover member for main- REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,023,514 Castanien Dec. 1Q, 1935 2,100,950 Giblette Nov. 30, 1937 2,110,956 Horbetz Mar. 15, 1938 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 426,847 Great Britain Apr. 10, 1935 

